Cardinals sign 2 rookies, release 9 from roster

Wide receiver Parker Smith #11 of the Rice Owls is chased by defensive back Nate Brooks #9 of the North Texas Mean Green in the first half at Rice Stadium on September 24, 2016 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Thomas B. Shea/Getty Images)

The Arizona Cardinals expect to give all 11 of their drafted rookies a strong opportunity to make the 53-man roster. With that, purging of the old talent was expected.

That process began Friday as Arizona announced the release of nine players and the signing of two undrafted rookie free agents. The players released include offensive linemen Zack Golditch, Justin Evans, Brant Weiss and Will House; receivers Jalen Tolliver and Bryant Mitchell; cornerback Jonathan Moxey; defensive lineman Pasoni Tasini; and running back Brandon Wilds.

The Cardinals also signed cornerback Nate Brooks, a Thorpe Award semifinalist at North Texas last year, and added Slippery Rock University running back product Wes Hills.

At 6-foot-2 and 192 pounds, Brooks recorded six interceptions, third-most in FBS, and made 67 tackles with 10 passes defensed last year. He was an All-Conference USA selection his senior and junior years.